Wave Energy Plant Segmentation for Corrosion Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy conversion plants that harness wave motion from seas and oceans face significant wear and tear due to contact with saltwater, leading to high maintenance and operational costs.
Innovation Solution
An energy conversion plant design that minimizes contact with seawater by using a hydraulic or electromagnetic system with a float and pump mechanism, where the only components in contact with seawater are the float and mechanical connections, and includes a hybrid configuration combining hydraulic and electromagnetic elements to generate energy efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If pumping means are placed in contact with sea water to harness wave motion, then energy conversion is enabled, but corrosion and wear increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional zones: a hydraulic circuit isolated from seawater and a seawater interaction zone. The pump handles fresh hydraulic fluid while a separate mechanism (float, piston, or electromagnetic actuator) interacts with wave motion, transferring energy without direct seawater contact to the pumping components.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic fluid acts as an intermediary medium between the wave motion energy source and the pump mechanism. The float or piston converts wave energy into hydraulic pressure, which then drives the pump without requiring direct seawater-pump contact, thereby protecting the pump from corrosion.
2Productivity
If pumping means are in contact with sea water, then wave energy can be harnessed, but maintenance costs and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the energy harvesting function (float, piston, or electromagnetic actuator in seawater) from the fluid handling function (pump with hydraulic circuit isolated from seawater). This segmentation allows the pump and hydraulic components to be maintained using standard freshwater systems, reducing maintenance complexity and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent offers an electromagnetic actuator alternative that replaces mechanical pump-driven systems with direct electromagnetic conversion. This eliminates mechanical wear in the energy conversion components while keeping the hydraulic pump isolated from seawater, further reducing maintenance requirements.
3Power
If pumping means contact sea water, then energy conversion is achieved, but system longevity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture separates long-lived components (pump, hydraulic circuit, generator) from components exposed to seawater (float, piston rod, or electromagnetic actuator). The isolated hydraulic system uses standard corrosion-resistant materials and sealed configurations, significantly extending the operational life of the energy conversion system.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic fluid serves as a protective intermediary, creating a sealed environment that prevents seawater contact with the pump and hydraulic components. This isolation mechanism protects sensitive components from corrosion, thereby extending system longevity while maintaining full energy conversion capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design significantly reduces wear and maintenance costs by limiting corrosion, allows for efficient energy generation, and includes features for energy storage and reuse, making it versatile and effective across varying wave conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the float (20) is moved along the movement axis (2a) by the wave motion of the sea water (10)
Implementation Method 2
the pump (4) is charged by the float (20) moving along the movement axis (2a) and discharges the fluid (30) outside the pump (4)
Implementation Method 3
a turbine (50) and a generator (51), wherein the turbine (50) is activated by means of the fluid (30) moved by the pump (4)
Implementation Method 4
the generator (51) being supplied by the turbine (50)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
An energy conversion plant (1) adapted to interact with sea water (10) is provided for defining a wave motion comprising a plurality of wave crests (11) and wavebands (12), in which the plant (1) comprises an actuator (2) operatively interacting with the sea water (10), defining a movement axis (2a) and adapted to be moved along the movement axis (2a) proportionally to the wave motion of the sea water (10), operating means (13) connected to the actuator (2) and at least partly integral with the actuator (2), an electrical network (14) operatively connected to the power supply means (13) to at least one external electrical apparatus, wherein the supply means (13) comprising at least one electromagnetic actuator (130) including a cursor (131) structurally connected and integral with the actuator (2) and a fixed station (132) labially connected to the cursor (131), and in which the electromagnetic actuator (130) generates electrical energy due to the electromagnetic induction when the cursor (131) and the fixed station (132) are reciprocally moved.